THE WISE MEN: The Bible does not explicitly mention the number of wise men that, following the star, travelled from the Orient (probably Babylon or Persia (modern day Iran and Iraq) to see the promised messiah that the prophet Micah, 700 years earlier, had foretold about – with 100 percent accuracy, as was required in the Law of Moses for any true prophet of God. And while we sing about three, Eastern tradition records there were 12 wise men.

Using ancient roads and mountain passes, the wise men journeyed at least 4 months to see the infant king. Matthew’s gospel recounts how they were overjoyed when they finally found him.

They bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts only fit for a king: Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Myrrh was one of the ingredients in the sacred oils used to anoint kings and priests. Frankincense is a resin that glitters, and in the Old Testament was traditionally burned in the temple as an offering to God.

Oh but by golly, wow! How insolent we are today. We, mere mortals whose lives, like flickering candlelight, can be snuffed out in an instant.

We expect God to come looking for us (and, wonder of wonder, He actually does) and then we demand that He explains Himself at every turn of events usually occasioned by us, then insist that He proves who He is. If, ahem, He is indeed very God like He claims to be, could He give us this, and that gift?

But we would be a little wise to follow the example of the wise men who sought God, and worshipped Him – not for what He gives but for who He is.

That, my friend, is the message of Christmas.